As sale of locally-produced cars in Pakistan remained flat in July, import of used cars up to 1,000cc jumped last month.

A total of 4,950 used cars, including jeeps, landed in the country in July. Of them 4,844 units came under personal baggage scheme and 106 units under transfer of residence scheme.

Data compiled by All-Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) revealed that a total of 32 brand new vehicles also arrived.

In July-June 2011-2012, a total of 753 brand new vehicles, mainly cars, were also imported.

Out of total of 4,950 units import in July, the share of cars up to 1,000cc stood at 2,583 units while 1,610 units from 1,301cc to 1,500cc were imported.

Car assemblers were worried over import of more than 55,000 units in July-June 2011-2012 in which share of cars (up to 1,000cc) was 24,530 units followed by the arrival of over 17,000 units of 1,300-1,500cc used cars.

Local assemblers have not unveiled any plans to introduce any replacement of Suzuki Alto and Daihatsu Cuore.

The lobby of used car dealers is expected to cash in on the situation by bringing more small cars.

However, Suzuki Mehran may benefit from the vacuum created by Alto and Cuore.

APMDA Chairman H.M. Shahzad said that imports of small cars (660cc) would further improve to meet consumers’ demand as they do not have choice in small cars after non- availability of Cuore and Alto.

He claimed that 660cc used car price does not exceed 600,000 rupees (US$6,362) while two different models of 800cc locally assembled Suzuki Mehran sell between 555,000 rupees and 607,000 rupees.

Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) would release sale/production date in the second week of this month, Zeeshan Afzal of Top Line Securities said that sale of locally-assembled cars would remain soft in July 2012 due to completion of Punjab taxi scheme, prompt buying by dealers before price hike in June causing inventory pile up in the market and reduced price differential between local and imported CBUs.

He expected 30-40 per cent decline in sales of locally produced cars in July as compared to 19,000 units in June 2012 with Pak Suzuki receiving the major hit.